Chapter 88: Film Emperor (8)

On the set of Moonlight of the Southern Dynasty, the scene wrapped and the set quickly became noisy.

Crew members bustled back and forth, assistants approached the actors to help tidy their costumes and hair, handing them water and other items. The directing team replayed the footage they had just shot.

As the lead of the previous scene, Tong Jianxu hadn’t yet come down from the emotional high of the performance. His eyes were bloodshot, his gaze carried a dark madness, making the new assistant too intimidated to approach him.

The scene just now had been an intense outburst—Emperor Li Lingshu learned that his only full-blooded sister had also betrayed him. After confronting her, he personally drew his sword and killed her. From then on, he truly stood alone, and his behavior only grew more unhinged.

Tong Jianxu had no scenes next, so he stood up and returned to the rest area.

He didn’t speak, and the assistant, still uneasy, silently followed him.

Tong Jianxu had his own designated rest space. Tian Miao and Qian were there now.

From this spot, one could still see the filming area, but not many people came over.

The so-called rest area was basically just some lounge chairs and stools with a few useful items. The only unique thing was the child’s unicorn rocking horse.

She was seated on it, rocking back and forth on her “steed,” while holding a bubble gun in one hand and shooting bubbles into the air—biu, biu.

Transparent bubbles streamed from the gun’s nozzle, spinning and floating through the air in colorful glimmers.

A cluster of bubbles landed on Tong Jianxu’s costume.

He was still wearing Li Lingshu’s costume—a black robe with wide sleeves embroidered with dragons. Director Fang had been particular about authenticity and had brought in experts on Southern Dynasty history to design the costumes. On Tong Jianxu, the outfit looked solemn and weighty when still, and elegant and flowing when he walked.

When she saw him approaching, Qian raised her bubble gun and fired two more biu, biu shots at him.

A sudden smile spread across Tong Jianxu’s face. He asked, “Qian, is the bubble gun fun?”

“Super fun!” Qian replied crisply.

Tian Miao added from the side, “She really likes it—she’s already gone through two bottles of bubble liquid just this morning.”

“It’s that fun? Can Daddy try it too?” His previous line still had a hint of Li Lingshu’s unstable tone, but now he had returned to his usual playful self with his daughter.

Qian didn’t hesitate. She slid off her rocking horse and handed him the bubble gun.

Lately, Tong Jianxu had been so busy filming that he didn’t have much time to play with his daughter. So he often browsed for toys online, constantly buying her new ones. The assistant was making daily trips to pick up deliveries.

This bubble gun had just arrived that morning, and the novelty hadn’t worn off yet.

Tong Jianxu had never played with one before. Holding the cute pink pig-shaped bubble gun, he fired it into the sky a couple of times, then smiled and lowered the gun to shoot a few bubbles at his daughter, adding playful sound effects: “Pew pew!”

“Ahhh!” Qian shut her eyes, covered her head with both hands and tried to dodge, but couldn’t escape. Her little hands weren’t enough to shield her whole face.

The two of them were surrounded by bubbles, both laughing heartily—one big, one small.

The cheerful giggling drew glances from nearby crew members.

It was a novelty having a Film Emperor bring his child to set. Ever since the girl had joined the crew, for the first few days every time Tong Jianxu went to film, quite a few staff members would find excuses to come and see the child. After the initial excitement wore off, fewer people came, though some of the female staff still loved coming over to share toys and snacks with the little one.

In no time, their private group chat was filled with photos and videos of the child.

Unfortunately, Film Emperor Tong wouldn’t allow them to post any of it online, so they formed an unofficial “baby fan club” within the crew, and father-daughter moments became treasured little dramas shared among themselves.

Holding the bubble gun, Tong Jianxu returned to his chair.

His chair was already taken over by his daughter’s toys—most notably a giant seahorse pillow hogging the seat.

He picked up the pillow and sat down in the pile of toys, launching a bubble “attack” on his daughter.

But soon enough, his bubble gun ran out of liquid. The clever little girl had already grabbed a new bubble gun and launched a full-on ambush at him.

Tong Jianxu had to raise his sleeves to cover most of his face, revealing only a pair of beautiful eyes, the corners slightly red and upturned in a smile. “Daddy surrenders! Daddy can’t win!”

Qian went wild with delight.

“Oh no, Daddy can’t take it anymore, no more! Daddy’s about to cry!”

Only then did the child stop, peeking carefully to see if he was really about to cry.

Tong Jianxu was still wearing his headpiece—his long hair made it uncomfortable to lie down—but he was sore all over from filming continuously.

He pulled Qian onto his lap with a sigh. “Aiya, Daddy’s shoulders and neck are so sore. If only someone could give Daddy a massage…”

Moments later, Tong Jianxu tilted his head, his long hair brushed to one side, exposing his neck in a mock “execution” pose. He propped his head on one hand and basked in the tender massage from his little girl.

Every time he finished a scene and returned to Qian’s side for a bit of “recovery,” Film Emperor Tong would head back to set re-energized. Director Fang even joked that he was in better shape than before.

Director Fang knew about Tong Jianxu’s “issue.” In their previous collaboration, Tong often stayed deeply immersed in the emotional world of his character for long stretches. While that was great for portraying the role, it was stifling for those around him, who always worried he wouldn’t be able to pull himself out.

When scenes were lighter, Tong Jianxu would sometimes take his daughter out to a nearby square for a stroll.

That square was usually used for grand scenes. Not far off stood a palace set, and the flat plaza was perfect for stretching one’s legs.

Tong Jianxu had bought Qian an electric toy car, shaped like a digger. While sitting inside, she could even control the movement of the front shovel.

Tong Jianxu walked ahead while the child followed in the little excavator. If he moved too slowly, the shovel would occasionally nudge at his heels.

He’d stop and go, teasing the child to “dig” him. Every time the shovel came close, he would take a big exaggerated step forward, letting it miss on purpose.

After dozens of failed shoveling attempts, Qian grew frustrated.

She drove the excavator in tight circles, yelling “Aahhh!” and kicking her legs furiously.

Tong Jianxu laughed. “Alright, alright, Daddy will stand still so you can dig!”

After letting her dig him a few times, peace was restored between the big and small duo, and they continued their walk together.

“Qian, can Daddy try driving your digger for a bit?”

The adult squeezed awkwardly into the child-sized toy car, but Tong Jianxu didn’t care. He floored it, speeding off and instantly leaving the kid behind.

Qian, with her short legs, tried to chase after him for a few steps but quickly realized she couldn’t catch up. What made it worse was her dad laughing wildly up ahead, waving at her triumphantly. Furious, she plopped down on the ground.

Tong Jianxu looped back around to pick her up, and the two of them rode together in the little car.

But the poor thing wasn’t built to bear so much weight—it broke down from the overload.

With no other option, the Film Emperor had to haul the digger car with one hand while holding his fuming child’s hand with the other, promising to buy her a bigger digger next time.

When filming night scenes, Tong Jianxu usually had the assistant take the child back to rest.

Most of the time Qian cooperated, but now and then she’d refuse and insist on staying on set to play, not willing to go to bed.

One of the night scenes was a Lantern Festival scene—bustling and full of excitement, with many fascinating lanterns hanging around.

Qian refused to leave, wanting to stroll along the set street used for filming. So Tong Jianxu asked the makeup artist to dress her in a Southern Dynasty outfit and style her hair into two little buns, letting her blend in as an extra in the background.

The scene was a lighthearted one—Li Lingshu, before becoming emperor, sneaking out from a royal banquet to see the lanterns as a prince.

Thirty-something Tong Jianxu had on youthful makeup and light-colored clothes. His whole vibe shifted, and he genuinely looked like a teenager.

He no longer had the mood swings of his later character. His eyes were bright with curiosity as he took in his surroundings.

Holding a small goldfish lantern, he wandered through the Lantern Festival.

The director gave no strict instructions for this part—just told him to walk through the street and show Li Lingshu’s youthful innocence.

Mid-scene, Tong Jianxu spotted Qian being held by one of the extras, her eyes fixed on the lanterns.

Something stirred in his heart. Smiling, he walked over and suddenly reached out to pinch the little floral hair bun on her head.

Qian, wearing a bunny mask, had just reached for the tassels on a lantern stand. Feeling the pinch, she turned her head—and immediately noticed the goldfish lantern in Tong Jianxu’s hand, her eyes lighting up.

He waved the lantern a bit, watching her eyes follow its movements. Smiling, he handed it to her, pinched her hair bun again, then quickly walked away with his hands behind his back.

In the shot, the crowded street and vibrant lanterns filled the background. As the fish-shaped lanterns spun, their glowing light connected the fading figure of the boy walking away with the child holding the goldfish lantern and turning back to look at him.

…

Filming wrapped up close to midnight.

The child had fallen asleep on Tong Jianxu’s lounge chair, a corner of a blanket draped over her stomach.

“Mr. Tong, should I carry her?” the assistant asked.

“No need,” Tong Jianxu said, scooping her up himself and letting her head rest on his shoulder.

Back at the hotel, Qian woke up groggily.

“Did Daddy wake you?”

“Mm… I need a bath,” she said, reaching out.

Normally, two female assistants would bathe her, but it was so late that Tong Jianxu didn’t want to call them in.

A little later, the two of them were soaking in the bathtub.

Even in the bath with his daughter, Tong Jianxu wore clothes. Qian wore a little dress that floated like a flower bud on the water.

Tong Jianxu leaned back, closed his eyes, and exhaled.

The hot water eased his soreness and muscle pain. He slowly slid further into the tub until only half his face remained above the surface.

Meanwhile, Qian was stepping on his legs, and while he wasn’t paying attention, she was going wild with the bath products—squirting out body wash and shampoo, coating herself until she was all slippery. She kept sliding around and accidentally got soap in her eyes.

With her hands too slippery to wipe her face properly, her eyes stung even worse.

She had no choice but to call for help. The unresponsive Film Emperor got a surprise attack—Qian slipped and fell right on top of him, slamming his face underwater.

The little chunker sitting squarely on his chest nearly achieved the feat of patricide.

Cough cough, cough! Tong Jianxu finally resurfaced, coughing and spluttering, then grabbed the showerhead to rinse the slippery soap off her head and body.

With water now sloshing in his ears, Tong Jianxu tilted his head to drain them. Qian, now smelling like flowers, stood on a little stool and was ordered to be the human stand holding the hairdryer to dry his soaking wet hair.

But the kid was too sleepy. Her eyelids kept drooping no matter how hard she tried to stay awake. Her arms gradually sagged lower and lower.

Finally—thud!—the hairdryer fell and smacked her dad right on the head.

“Hiss—!”

Film Emperor HP -1.

The chances of being murdered by a three-year-old daughter: low, but not zero.